The 3700 SY’s
interior is open as well—particularly important considering as many
as six can stay aboard. There are two cabins: the master forward, equipped
with a queen-size island berth, plus a midcabin, also outfitted with a
queen berth. To accommodate an extra couple, the L-shape lounge in the
saloon/dinette also converts to a sleeping space. Personally, I’d
forego inviting the additional couple, as everyone would have to share
the single head, which is tucked aft to port and equipped with a sink
and separate shower.

I was pleased to see
that slumberers in the staterooms are guaranteed privacy, however. Pocket
doors in the master stateroom’s entryway do the trick there, while
a privacy curtain hangs in the midcabin. Even with the curtain open, all
that’s visible from the midcabin’s entrance (to starboard)
is the L-shape lounge, directly across from the foot of the berth.

Whether you and your
guests are in need of a strong cup of coffee after a good night’s
sleep or feel like popping into the dinette/galley area during the day
for a quick snack, you’ll appreciate seeing the usual assortment
of appliances. The under-counter refrigerator and freezer to port are
faced with the same maple wood as the cabinets, themselves equipped with
positive latches to prevent errant spills of stores. Quick reheats get
taken care of by the microwave, which is tucked into a cubby above the
refrigerator and freezer. Interestingly, the cooktop to starboard is situated
with the two burners fore to aft. As for those caffeinated pick-me-ups,
a coffee maker is tucked into another cubby further to starboard, directly
above the sink. There’s enough elbowroom for one person to stand
in the galley while another person passes behind, and the 6'3" headroom
I measured accentuates the roomy feel.

Speaking of feel, the
3700 SY felt solid in the variety of runs I performed. As I explained
above, she didn’t pound or slap in the sloppy conditions, and optional
twin 370-hp MerCruiser 8.1L MPI stern drives accelerated her smoothly
to a top speed just shy of 38 mph at 4200 rpm. (The MerCruisers are housed
below a cockpit hatch, but I’d prefer to see the optional, $500
electric/hydraulic lift for it become standard. Regardless, there’s
good access to both sides of either engine.) Her Teleflex hydraulic steering
was responsive at all speeds, and I especially appreciated the tilt wheel.
I’m not exactly what you’d call an average-size person (I
stand 5'2"), and though I had to stand to see better, I must admit
the helm benchseat is positioned so that most adult drivers will have
good sightlines. The seat also flips up to become a bolster, should you
prefer to drive while standing.

As you might expect
of a mainstream builder, Maxum employs relatively conventional construction
methods in the 3700: hand-laid fiberglass with Core-Max coring, glassed-in
bulkheads, vinylester hull skincoat, and effective nonskid decks (and
yes, they remained so even with the rain). There’s also a limited
yet transferable, five-year structural warranty for the hull and deck.

Yes, when it comes to
boating, I’m definitely a grab-the-gang kind of girl. The 3700 SY
left me with the distinct impression she’ll appeal to people like
me, those who want to make sure their guests aren’t wedged into
their seats while they enjoy the wind in their hair.